Signal device



P. H. DONOVAN.

SLGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-21, 191a.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PATRICK DONOVAN, OREDGEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WESTING- HOUSE AIR BRAKE QOMPANY, OF WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SIGNAL DEVICE.

I Application filed August 21, 1913. Serial No. 785,876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK H. DONOVAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgewood, in the county of Alleghen and State of Pennsylvania, have invente new and useful Improvements in Signal Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to signal systems, and more particularly to a signal device for railway train service.

In steam road service, the signal system almost universally employed is operated pneumatically, each car being equipped with a car discharge valve for venting fluid from a train signal pipe line connected to a signal valve on the locomotive.

The increasing use of electric current on steam road cars has led to the proposal that an electric signal system be employed instead of a pneumatic signal system, as electrically the signals may be transmitted instantaneously from the car to the locomotive and the pneumatic signal train pipe may be dispensed with. During the transition period, however, trains will be made up of cars some of which are equipped with only the pneumatic signal system.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a car signal controlling valve having means for also controlling an electric signal apparatus, so that no change in the car equipment will be necessary in the event of the use of electric current instead of air for controlling the train signals, as the usual pulling of the signal cord to operate the car signal valve will also close contacts for an electric signal system.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a signal equipment applied to a locomotive and a car and showing my improvement applied thereto; Fig, 2 a side elevation, partly in section, of a car discharge valve device, with electric signal contacts applied thereto, showing the parts in normal position; Fig. 3 a similar view, showing the parts in the position for transmitting a signal; and Fig. i an end elevation of the car discharge valve device.

Pneumatically, the car discharge valve device may be of the usual construction, com prising a body portion 1 inclosed in a casing 2 and having a valve chamber 3 communicating with a train signal pipe 4 and containing a discharge valve 5 for controlling the exhaust of air from the signal pipe to atmospheric exhaust ports 6. The valve 5 is provided with a stem 7 adapted to engage a rocker arm 8 normally resting on two fulcrum pins 9 and 10 and when the conductors cord 11 attached to the arm 8 is pulledin e ther direction the rocker arm is lifted or rocks on one of the fulcrum pins and thereby rarses the valve stem 7 and the valve 5 from its seat to vent fluid from the signal plpe.

- According to my improvement, the rocker arm 8 is provided with contacts 12, one of i which is adapted to connect contacts 13 and 14 upon movement in either direction. The contacts 13 are connected to a train wire15 and the contacts 14 are connected to' a train wire 16.

When the train signal system is to be operated electrically, the electric train Wire 15 is connected to one terminal of a magnet 20 on the locomotive or head car for controlling an electric signal valve 21 and a current supply wire 17 is connected to the other termi nal of the magnet. A suitable source of current 18 is connected across the train wires 16 and 17, so that when one of the pairs of contacts 13 and Hare connected by contact 12, a circuit is closed through the signal valve magnet. If the train is not equipped for electric signal control, then the usual pulling of the conductors cord operates the car discharge valve to vent fluid from the signal pipe 4 and effect the operation of the penal signal valve device 19 on the locomoive.

It will now be evident that the pneumatic signal system may be operated in the usual manner on trains during the transition-period, While adapted to control the signals electrically without changing or adding to the car equipment when the train has the. improved equipment on all of its cars.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a train signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, a fluid-pressure-controlled signal valve device located on one vehicle of a train, a discharge valve device located on another vehicle and adapted to vent fluid from said signal valve device through the train signal pipe, of electric contacts operated by the movement of the discharge valve device for controlling an electric signal circuit.

2, In a train signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, a fluid-pressure-controlled signal-valve device located on one vehicle of a train, a discharge valve device located on another vehicle and ada ted to vent fluid from said signal valve device through the train signal pipe, of electric train Wires adapted to be connected to an electric signal system and electric contacts operated by the movement of the discharge valve device for controlling the circuit through said train Wires.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. I

PATRICK H. DONOVAN. Witnesses:

A. M. CLEMENTS, C. A. ALLSHOUSE. 

